Democracy in America — Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville

Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The

290 words | Chapter 40

United States I have hitherto examined the institutions of the United States; I have passed their legislation in review, and I have depicted the present characteristics of political society in that country. But a sovereign power exists above these institutions and beyond these characteristic features which may destroy or modify them at its pleasureâ€”I mean that of the people. It remains to be shown in what manner this power, which regulates the laws, acts: its propensities and its passions remain to be pointed out, as well as the secret springs which retard, accelerate, or direct its irresistible course; and the effects of its unbounded authority, with the destiny which is probably reserved for it. In America the people appoints the legislative and the executive power, and furnishes the jurors who punish all offences against the laws. The American institutions are democratic, not only in their principle but in all their consequences; and the people elects its representatives directly, and for the most part annually, in order to ensure their dependence. The people is therefore the real directing power; and although the form of government is representative, it is evident that the opinions, the prejudices, the interests, and even the passions of the community are hindered by no durable obstacles from exercising a perpetual influence on society. In the United States the majority governs in the name of the people, as is the case in all the countries in which the people is supreme. The majority is principally composed of peaceful citizens who, either by inclination or by interest, are sincerely desirous of the welfare of their country. But they are surrounded by the incessant agitation of parties, which attempt to gain their co-operation and to avail themselves of their support.

Chapters

1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter I: Exterior Form Of North America 3. Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans—Part I 4. Chapter III: Social Conditions Of The Anglo-Americans 5. Chapter IV: The Principle Of The Sovereignty Of The People In America 6. Chapter VI: Judicial Power In The United States 7. Chapter VII: Political Jurisdiction In The United States 8. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part I 9. Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The 10. Chapter X: Parties In The United States 11. Chapter XI: Liberty Of The Press In The United States 12. Chapter XII: Political Associations In The United States 13. Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences—Part I 14. Chapter XVI: Causes Mitigating Tyranny In The United States—Part I 15. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 16. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 17. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 18. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 19. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races In The United 20. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part X 21. Chapter I: Exterior Form Of North America 22. Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans—Part I 23. Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans—Part II 24. 1650. *p The legislators of Connecticut *q begin with the penal laws, 25. Chapter III: Social Conditions Of The Anglo-Americans 26. Chapter IV: The Principle Of The Sovereignty Of The People In America 27. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part I 28. introduction of judicial power into the administration—Consequence of 29. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part II 30. 263. See the Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, at the words 31. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part III 32. Chapter VI: Judicial Power In The United States 33. Chapter VII: Political Jurisdiction In The United States 34. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part I 35. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part II 36. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part III 37. introduction of physical force exceedingly rare, and is very frequently 38. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part IV 39. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part V 40. Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The 41. Chapter X: Parties In The United States 42. Chapter XI: Liberty Of The Press In The United States 43. Chapter XII: Political Associations In The United States 44. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part I 45. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part II 46. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part III 47. Chapter XIV: Advantages American Society Derive From Democracy—Part I 48. Chapter XIV: Advantages American Society Derive From Democracy—Part II 49. episode to the general activity—Difficult for an American to confine 50. Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences—Part I 51. Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences—Part II 52. Chapter XVI: Causes Mitigating Tyranny In The United States—Part I 53. introduction of an entire system of ideas peculiar to the counsel 54. Chapter XVI: Causes Mitigating Tyranny In The United States—Part II 55. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 56. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 57. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 58. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic 59. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races In The United 60. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part II 61. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part III 62. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part IV 63. 1830. But this proportion is perpetually changing, as it constantly 64. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part V 65. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VI 66. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VII 67. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VIII 68. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part IX 69. 100. [These statements relate to a condition of affairs which has 70. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part X

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